AIG Update

Here are some notes about the comings and goings of our AIG groups at Claxton. The big news is the addition of AIG services for third graders - implementation of which has been challenged by continued inclement weather.

I include third grade parents who have thoughtfully returned the 'permission to serve' forms. Rest assured, there will be third-specific info soon to come!

Advanced Subject Group in Reading

Both fourth and fifth graders participated in a letter writing contest (Letters About Literature) from the Library of Congress and North Carolina. In addition:

4:  Fourth graders completed our initial book study of Neil Gaiman's Coraline.  We have moved on to Junior Great Books stories. These materials are excellent literature with insightful questions for student discussion. We recently finished Thank You, Ma'am by Langston Hughes. Students are expected to participate in learned discussion and reflect on the work. Notes from JGB have been included in the blog.

5:  Fifth graders have also engaged in Junior Great Books reading and discussion. Earlier in the year we read The Mushroom Man, and more recently we completed Shirley Jackson's Charles. We are still working on positive ways to contribute in these discussions, however, the content is always at the very least interesting.

Advance Subject Group in Math

4:  These students have been working with an introduction to algebraic thinking called Hands On Equations. Students spend time familiarizing themselves with expressions and equations before moving into work with math tools. The tools involved help make concrete the abstract concepts of algebra. I'll release pictures soon to help illustrate this fine work.

5:  Fifth graders have been working with a simulation (Adrift!) where they must coordinate efforts  to save a lost sailor. This work involves video clues, partner work, and whole group decisions. A lot of math, including ordered pairs on maps, is included. They are currently about half way through the work. BTW, have you seen any of the homework from this assignment?

Comprehensive Study Group

4:  Fourth graders have completed their personal profiles, presented them for recording, and reflected on their work with a rubric for self-assessment. These presentations have been available via the blog for your perusal.

5:  Fifth graders have completed some direction-following activities (more challenging than you may think!) and are moving on to:

4/5:  Both CSG groups will work with ThinkFun games to shore up perseverance and reasoning skills. These sets of six different games were funded by the generosity of Claxton's PTO granting. The games allow students to use a variety of mental skills for problem solving and reasoning. Students will have logs to record their time and effort in an attempt to also shore up perseverance. Look for this work to expand into classrooms - supported by an NCAGT grant wonderfully co-written by our own Melissa Cole-Essig. Many, many thanks to Claxton's PTO and Mrs. Cole-Essig!!

Enrichment Study Group

4:  Our simulation work with The Great Solar System Rescue continues. As of this, these students have located and saved the first of four lost space probes. To do this, they have had to understand a specific science through reading, process a ton of information from video transmissions and more reading, and, most importantly, share and work with each other to form consensus decisions. There are three teams overall, so we’ll see how they rate at the end of our work!

5:  These students completed an interest inventory to help drive independent projects. Everyone is engaged in this work which varies from animal husbandry (from outside work at Claxton, I'll hastily add!)  to original works of fiction. Although drafts are certainly in the process, we won’t be sharing out until the spring.

john.pruett@asheville.k12.nc.us / 828.350.6512

Thanks for your continued support of our AIG program!!

John Pruett